Entium

Chapter 2

The eery echo of three loud knocks at the front door rushed down the hallway and swept over the two friends. Visits from Robeings occurred more frequently than one would hope, the main motive behind their arrival is to either take you somewhere unpleasant or to inspect your home; the latter only takes place if the Robeings have a reason to believe that something going against the laws is taking place; Entium dislikes mockery.

Desperate families within run down flats were the ones who had the majority of the inspections, if even a single Roebing had an itch that something dark was happening behind closed doors, then they would have no hesitations towards dealing with the issue. These so called issues were mostly met with strict aggression. For one of these individuals to be stood just outside the door of their home at this moment in time; they knew they must not question the radio message from the Entium, not now, it felt too risky. Even the slightest implication of a secretive whisper would be a good enough reason for them to take someone away. It is unknown what happens to those who are "taken" by the Robeings. Some believe that they are taken to the Entium to be tortured or reprogrammed; turned into Prehumans - a fate less death, only a life of orders. Although others believed they were sent out of the country, or perhaps relocated into a different gender allocated city. Most believed that death, was the outcome.

"FCS Pickup. You go, Al," Michelle insisted, her hateful gaze fixed on the front door, as if telepathically demanding the Robeing to leave. It wasn't strange to feel this way towards Robeings, they were the epitome of emotionless, they could kill an innocent soul, and not show a flicker of remorse in their lifeless eyes. Al was most definitely aware of Michelle's loathing of them, unsurprisingly after the pain they had caused her. 

"They're going to start getting pissy, so go, quick." Michelle pushed.

Al nodded and lowered her voice to a husky whisper, so silent that Michelle had to lean closer to understand what she was saying, "We'll talk about the message when I get back, I'll ask around, see if anyone--" 

Three more ground shaking knocks.

Al tied her thick mucky blonde hair into a messy bun, closed her eyes, gave an aching sigh, then placed her hands into her dirty, grey, hoodie pockets. Every single item of clothing in her possession was cheap and tattered, the majority were colours so dim, that they somehow reminded her of illness. The flimsy polyester hoodie she was currently wearing tried and miserably failed to keep her warm, if anything it sent even more of a shiver down her spine than if she wasn't wearing it at all. She thought about how heavenly a steaming hot shower would be on this cold depressing morning; she missed the serenity of a shower, the feeling of utter relaxation and safety. Crystal beads of warm liquid slowly trickling down the skin, sinking into each and every thirsty pore on the body. Even though it was the one place where a person was entirely vulnerable; somehow it was a satisfactory escape from life. Al suddenly wished she had savoured those moments of privacy. Her mind cleared once more, and she headed sturdily towards the front door.

Swinging open the red wooded door, perhaps a little too fiercely as it almost strikes her in the face, she was suddenly faced with a Robeing. It has the typical aspects of a human one would think; a head, a body, legs and arms. Except for the eyes, the dead souless eyes, they were always a give away. The skin was synthetic and tinged green, it gleamed unnaturally in the dull light. Robeings in this area always look the same, the same face, the same clothes, each one wears a muddy green uniform with matching barracks cover hats, shiny black shoes and their green ties with tiny yellow dots sat tidily upon an off white shirt. A smart golden triangular badge is pinned on the left pocket of the uniform jacket, it reads "ENTIUM". 

The small step at the door gives the illusion of Al being taller than the Robeing which she enjoyed as she felt authoritative, for a change. This particular individual was glaring right into Al's soul,  it felt as if it was trying to pick out her thoughts, trying to find a reason to make her life unlivable, which she couldn't deny made her feel uncomfortable.